"Instant antique for stainless-steel warriors!"

[Theodosius the Great]

my kit was constructed using plain old steel. It was neither antiqued, nor mirror-polished. It looked used but in very good condition

Yeah, the mirrior finish wears off if not maintained. But my helmet now is too shiny so I just want the stuff to tone it down.

Has an auxiliary group taken root there since I moved away?

No, you're right.